1969 Cadillac Eldorado

Cadillac introduced its seventh-generation Eldorado in 1967, with a completely redesigned appearance that would pave the way for Cadillac's styling into the Seventies. It shared its underpinnings with the contemporary Buick Riviera and Oldsmobile Tornado, with the Cadillac representing the pinnacle of GM luxury. The Eldorado carried over its 429 cubic-inch powerplant though the drive wheels were changed from rear to front, again in line with the Tornado. In 1968 the 429 was joined by an even larger 375bhp, 472-CID V8, backed by a three-speed TH400 automatic gearbox. It was that year that Eldorado established its sales peak (at that time), with over 24,500 units sold. The 1969 cars reverted to conventional headlamps, replacing the prior hidden units, and a vinyl roof option was added. Towards the end of that model year, a powered sunroof also became available.

The styling of Cadillac 1969 models was brought inline with the Eldorado, including the entry-level Calais (offered as a hardtop coupe and hardtop sedan) and the DeVille (coupe, sedan, and convertible). The Fleetwood Sixty Special was priced similarly to the Eldorado, beginning at $6,770 for the sedan and $7,110 for the Brougham. The Sixty-Special was much larger, resting on a 133-inch wheelbase platform compared to the 120 inches of the Eldorado. The DeVille and Calais had a 129.5-inch wheelbase platform.

Standard equipment on 1969 Cadillacs included Turbo-Hydrmatic transmission, variable-ratio power steering, power windows, dual power brakes, two front cigarette lighters, an electric clock, and concealed three-speed windshield washers. The 472 cubic-inch V8 engine had a cast-iron block, hydraulic valve lifters, five main bearings, a Rochester Quadrajet four-barrel carburetor, and delivered 375 horsepower at 4,400 RPM. The Eldorado had power-operated rear quarter vent windows.

The 1969 Eldorado was offered as a two-door hardtop Coupe priced at $6,700 and a total of 23,333 examples were built, accounting for approximately 11 percent of Cadillac's total 1969 production. Along with the new exposed and stationary headlights, there was a new cross-hatch grille that was flanked on either side by dual headlights.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2021